You don’t have to hide your smile simply because you are not confident with your teeth color, alignment, shape and size, among other issues. A qualified cosmetic dentist can handle all these imperfections.
In the past, traditional dentistry focused only on oral hygiene, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral disease. However, things have taken a dramatic turn, and now cosmetic dentistry is all about improving the appearance of your teeth, mouth and general smile.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a term used to refer to any dental work meant to improve the appearance of teeth, gums and/or bites. In other words, cosmetic dentistry provides the desired treatments and services of your dental formula. While these improvements are not mandatory, they are crucial if you are not confident with your smile. The primary focus of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the dental aesthetics in position, shape, size, color and the overall smile appearance.
The modern cosmetic dentistry have a unique way to give you a better smile even if your teeth are broken, worn, chipped, discoloured, stained, misaligned or have unpleasing gaps between them. The procedure can improve the appearance of your smile and raise your confidence. There are also restorative benefits when it comes to cosmetic treatments. For instance, decayed teeth are commonly treated with a procedure known as dental fillings.
Earlier on, dental fillings didn’t appear as natural as many people would have wanted since they were mostly made of amalgam, gold and other materials which left dark spots on the teeth. Well, today’s dental fillings have improved for the better. They can now be considered cosmetics since you have the privilege to select fillings made of composite or porcelain materials. The impressive feature about these materials is that they closely match with the color of your teeth; thus, give you a natural smile and general appearance. If you like, you can also choose to replace your older fillings with newer ones just to enhance your oral appearance. In most cases, you and your cosmetic dentist will develop a treatment plan that is suitable for your situation.
Cosmetic dentistry treatment options
a) Composite bonding
Are your teeth broken, chipped, decayed and discoloured? Composite bonding is what your teeth needs. This procedure can have them repaired, and their appearance corrected. While using this option, the composite material is applied into the cavity or the surface of a tooth. It is then sculpted into the shape of the teeth, contoured and hardened with a high-intensity light. The results are amazing as it bonds with the remainder of the surrounding tooth structure and the rest of your natural teeth perfectly. Hence, giving you a healthy, impressive smile.
b) Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is the most common form of cosmetic dentistry. It is so far the least expensive and most straightforward way of improving your smile. Typically, the teeth can be stained from food, drinks such as tea, red wine or coffee, smoke or even poor oral hygiene. To some extent, these are things that are beyond your control, and so teeth whitening becomes the most sort after dentistry procedure. You can enhance the appearance of your smile by bleaching your teeth.
c) Dental implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements, and in case of tooth loss, dental implants are recommended. The procedure is meant to compensate for the lost tooth to enhance your smile and give you a more youthful appearance. Remember loss of teeth may make your face to collapse and leave you looking older than you are.
d) Inlays/Onlays
Inlays/onlays are also known as indirect fillings. They are made from composite or porcelain materials. They provide a long-lasting and pleasing way for filling teeth affected by tooth decay and other structural damages. Inlays/onlays are created in a dental laboratory. They are then fitted and bonded into the mouth by your dentist. This is different from the dental fillings, which are moulded within your mouth during a dental visit.
e) Dental veneers
If your teeth are suffering from chips and cracks, you can repair them with dental veneers. In this case, porcelain or composite laminates are adhesively bonded to the surface of the tooth. The procedure will, therefore, improve your dental appearance. Veneers are also suitable if you have severe tooth discolouration and teeth whitening wasn’t successful. Further, if you have gaps in your teeth, veneers may be recommended. Veneers cost can go up to $500-$1,300 per tooth depending with your dental situation.
f) Smile makeover
When it comes to smile makeover, a comprehensive assessment of your smile aesthetics is involved. In fact, it involves one or more cosmetic procedures such as dental implants, gingival sculpting, teeth whitening and dental veneers to the desired look.
g) Full mouth reconstruction
To improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, a lot needs to be done. Your cosmetic dentist may see the need to correct functional problems with your muscles, bone structure, bite and teeth. If your situation requires full mouth reconstruction, your dentist can provide you with functional, clinically sound and durable treatments that appear natural, thanks to the availability of those materials.
How to find the right cosmetic dentist
Getting qualified cosmetic dentistry specialists like Harley Street Smile Clinic is a doubting task, especially with the increasing number of dentists offering cosmetic treatment. The fact that there is no referral system makes the procedure even harder.
So, what should you do to eliminate the chances of dealing with a quack? The first thing you should consider is to consult with your family/general dentist. Please take it as your primary consideration. Your dentist has a clear picture of the condition of your mouth, especially if you have been receiving regular check-ups. It would be best if you also asked your friends, family members and workmates who have already undergone a smile makeover to recommend you to a qualified cosmetic dentist. From the list of your recommended cosmetic dentists, take time and do your homework. Investigate the level of their experience and only choose the best.
